Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00167 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Ferryland, Newfoundland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 July 1774 Pagination: 4p.+addr. 20 cm. x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Explains why he has not written sooner. Discusses working on a fishing ship and being owed money by his employer. He fears the possibility of staying in Newfoundland until the fall, citing that the town lacks amusements, even a "five alley." He also expresses his deep feelings of friendship with Knox and how he will miss him. Wishes Lucy Knox well. Comments sullenly on the lack of news he has. Asks Knox to write. Jackson was colonel of the 16th Massachusetts regiment from 1777 to 1779 and commanded the 9th or Boston regiment from 1779 to 1782. After the Revolution, he commanded the 4th Massachusetts regiment, and was major-general of Massachusetts militia from 1792 to 1796.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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